Basic Structure and Utilisation Pattern of Bovine Stock in Different Agro-Climatic Zones of Assam, India

International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research in Science Society and Culture(IJIRSSC) Vol: 1, Issue:2, (December Issue), 2015 ISSN: (P) 2395-4345, (O) 2455-2909

Dipali Baruah 1, Dr. Nisamani Kar2 1Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, Pragjyotish College, Guwahati, Assam. 2HOD, Department of Geography, Rajiv Gandhi University, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh. ______ABSTRACT : An attempt has been made through this paper to understand the structure and utilisation pattern of Bovine Stock for the state of Assam considering two parameters like Age and Sex composition,. This paper uses secondary data collected from the office of the Directorate of Agriculture and the Directorate of Veterinary services for two livestock census data i.e. 2003 and 2007. Data were analysed with the help of descriptive statistics and sex ratio has been calculated. Results indicated that there is a variation in the structure of this stock at district level. It is also seen that 40 percent districts of Upper Brahmaputra Valley and North Bank Zone have sex ratio in favour of male cattle. It is important to mention here that bovine sex ratio is measured by the index i.e. Number of male cattle to 100 female cattle. This is for keeping the economics and structural change required in Animal Husbandry. Remaining 60percent of the districts is reflective of better sex ratio in favour of female cattle.

Keywords: Age- Sex Composition, Agro-climatic zone, Animal husbandry, Bovine stock ______I. Introduction: Livestock is an integral part of agricultural economy of Assam. It plays an important role in the rural economy of the state. Trace back to the history animal rearing, it is found that animal rearing is an age-old practice of the state. The animals are reared for milk, meat and egg because these are the source of rich food and for ploughing the fields and carrying of carts etc. Livestock provides organic manure to the agricultural fields and generate income to the people engaged in this sector. Cattle, goat, buffalo are the important animals found in the region and there are sizeable sections of population engaged in livestock rearing for their livelihood. The state accounts for the country’s 3.36 percent of the livestock population that thrives upon 2.39 per cent of the total geographical area of the country. According to the 2007 livestock census, the state boasts of about 3.58 percent of the bovine population of the country. At present Assam carries103, 65,583 cattle and 5, 25,835 buffaloes comprising 5.52 percent of India’s cattle and 0.50 percent of India’s buffalo population. In spite of having this number of cattle and buffalo population, the state is facing acute shortage of livestock products due to the rapid increase in human population as well as rapid urbanization.

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International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research in Science Society and Culture(IJIRSSC) Vol: 1, Issue:2, (December Issue), 2015 ISSN: (P) 2395-4345, (O) 2455-2909

© IJIRSSC II. Objectives of the Study: The main objectives in this study are - 1. to analyse the structure and pattern of utilization of bovine that will help to understand the share of this stock in terms of draught power and milk yield in different agro-climatic regions.

2. to study the age and sex composition as well as composition of working cattle and buffalo in different agro-climatic zones.

3. to understand the structure and utilization pattern of this stock

III.Study Area: Assam- the study area of the present research is unique in its location in the north-eastern macro region of India. The state approximately lies between 240N and 280N Latitudes and 900E and 970E Longitudes. Assam is bounded on the north by the Arunachal Himalaya and Bhutan, on the east by the states of Nagaland and Manipur, on the south by the states of Tripura and Mizoram and in the west by West Bengal, Meghalaya and Bangladesh. The state has an area of 78,438 sq. km which is 2.39 percent of the total area of the country [1]. Assam remains very important state of North-east India so far history and geography is concerned. Assam is a state with immense geographical and cultural variations. The state has diverse topography and various relief features and covered with marshy land, hundreds of wetlands, hills, rivers and river valleys. So land availability for habitation and agriculture is comparatively low and limited. Assam is already identified with four physiographic divisions [2] viz. the Brahmaputra Valley, the Karbi Plateau, The Barail and Southern Hills and Barak Valley. The land is fertile as it contains higher organic composition in which nitrogen concentration is more. Varieties of trees, plants and creepers are found in the study area. Paddy, mustard, wheat, sugarcane etc. are grown here.

IV.Methodology : The present study involving bovine stock is based on secondary data collected from different offices like, the Directorate of Agriculture, the Directorate of Veterinary services (two livestock census data, i.e. 2003[3] and 2007 and Census of India. Data were compiled, tabulated and analysed with the help of descriptive statistics and sex ratio has been calculated. The various results arrived at are interpreted in a simple language and is supported by necessary figures, maps, graphs, etc. whenever necessary.

V. Result and Discussion : a) Agro-Climatic Zones:

Agricultural production of an area depends mainly on climate, soil, land holding size, and modern scientific techniques used in agriculture. The agricultural crops such as rice, www.ijirssc.in Page 39

International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research in Science Society and Culture(IJIRSSC) Vol: 1, Issue:2, (December Issue), 2015 ISSN: (P) 2395-4345, (O) 2455-2909

© IJIRSSC wheat, maize, pulses, mustard etc are primarily used as feed for the livestock. Climate governs the agricultural pattern of a place. Considering climate, topography, soil characteristics and the cropping pattern, the state is divided into six agro-climatic regions such as Upper Brahmaputra Valley, Central Brahmaputra Valley, Lower Brahmaputra Valley, Hill Zones, Barak Valley and North Bank Zones [4] .

Fig . 1

Agro Climatic regions directly control the species to be adapted, Livestock Population, its utility pattern and also its future sustainability.

Upper Brahmaputra Valley: This region includes Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Sibsagar, Jorhat and Golaghat districts. Season-wise average rainfall varies between 74.4 mm and1060 mm. Rice is the principal crop with sugarcane and mustard are other important crops that grown in the region.

Central Brahmaputra Valley: This region encompasses Kamrup, Nagaon, and Morigaon districts. Season-wise average rainfall of the Central Brahmaputra Valley varies between 31mm in winter and1271 mm in summer. Rice, mustard, jute and pulse are the main crops of www.ijirssc.in Page 40

International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research in Science Society and Culture(IJIRSSC) Vol: 1, Issue:2, (December Issue), 2015 ISSN: (P) 2395-4345, (O) 2455-2909

Lower Brahmaputra Valley: Lower Brahmaputra Valley stretches over Goalpara, Dhubri, Kokrajhar, and Bongaigaon districts. In this region, rainfall mainly occurs due to summer monsoon originated from the Bay of Bengal. The region is ideally suitable for rice, mustard, potato, wheat and jute cultivation because of fertile soils.

Hill Zones: It includes Karbi Anglong and N C Hills. Average seasonal rainfall during monsoon season is about 719 mm. Shifting cultivation is practised in this region. Crops such as rice, sugarcane are cultivated in the region mainly for sustenance.

Barak valley: Cachar, Hailakandi and Karimganj districts are included in Barak valley agro- climatic region. This region is also known for cultivation of rice and sugarcane. Average seasonal rainfall during monsoon season is about 1957 mm.

The North Bank Zones: This agro-climatic region stretch over the district of Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Sonitpur, Darrang, Nalbari and Barpeta (newly formed district like Udalguri, Baska and Chirang are included here). Rice is the main crop of the region. Mustard and sugarcane are also grown there. b. Livestock with Special Reference to Bovine Stock

According to flivestock census report ,2007 [5] of Directorate of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry, Assam there were 177.72 lakh livestock available in the state of which 58.3 percent are cattle and 3 percent are buffaloes.

It is clear from the number and their body weight that these stock i.e. cattle and buffalos are the most important animal of the state. Though India is proud to possess as many as 28 pedigree cattle breeds and 10 buffalo breeds (ICAR)[6] evolved through time for their usefulness in different agro-climatic zones for ploughing, milk and dual purpose, Assam has no identifiable pedigree stock in the present context. The bovine stocks are poor and belong to the non –descriptive breed in the state of Assam [7]. Their milk yield and working capacity are low. Animal diseases are common in the state of Assam because of the prevailing hot and humid climate. It has been established that there is an inverse relation between high humidity and quality of bovine stock as much as positive relation between quality of grass land and quality of cattle. Hence, when one travels from North West to South East in the Indo Gangetic plain the cattle quality deteriorates with identifiable pedigree stocks in Rajasthan to only nondescript cattle in Assam [8]. There were 103.66 lakh cattle in the state (2007), out of which 96.8 lakh belongs to indigenous cattle and rest 6.9 lakh included in crossbreed cattle.

At the district level, cattle concentration is found to be the highest in Nagaon (8.48lakh) and the lowest in Hailakandi (1.5 lakh).As far as buffalo population is concerned there were 5.26 lakh buffaloes in the state for the same period. The lowest and the highest number of www.ijirssc.in Page 41

International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research in Science Society and Culture(IJIRSSC) Vol: 1, Issue:2, (December Issue), 2015 ISSN: (P) 2395-4345, (O) 2455-2909

© IJIRSSC buffaloes are recorded in Baska (2997 heads) and Cachar (66027) district respectively. Cool and moist climate, better pastures, good transport facilities and market are needed for dairy cattle. Cattle rearing for beef are not much important in the region as expected because of concentration of majority of Hindu population. However, the presence of significant number of Muslim population and the nature of beef production are yet to be investigated by any study. It is necessary to mention here in this context that only the states of Kerala and West Bengal possess the legal right to cull their surplus bovine stock. However it is a well known fact that bovine trade exists in India not only between the states but across the international boundary mostly illegally and also it is supposed to be a thriving economy. c. Age Composition: The study of age composition will be helpful in understanding the portion of working force of the stock. Besides this, the study will also give a clear picture of the portion of bovine stock that are burden to the availability of fodder and feed over the land. In Assam Livestock census report, classifications of age group of both indigenous and cross breed cattle are done in three categories namely less than 1 year, 1-2.5 year and over 2.5 year respectively.

Fig.2

But for buffalo this classification is done by considering less than1 year, 1-3 years and over 3 years. To get young bovine stock, age group of less than 1 year and 1-2.5 have been www.ijirssc.in Page 42

International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research in Science Society and Culture(IJIRSSC) Vol: 1, Issue:2, (December Issue), 2015 ISSN: (P) 2395-4345, (O) 2455-2909

© IJIRSSC added for cattle and less than1 year and 1-3 years have been added for buffalo in the present study. The third category of each classification has taken as adult bovine. For this, livestock census data for two time periods (2003&2007) have been taken. These data are collected from Directorate of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Assam.

Fig.3

District wise break up of data have been analysed to fulfil the purpose. Table no.1 exhibits district wise Composition of Young & Adult Cattle to Total Cattle (Both Indigenous & Cross Breed). According to 2007 census, the proportion of young cattle stock in age group 1- 2.5 was 39 percent and adult stock (above 2.5 years) 61 percent .This indicates the state has higher percentage of working age group of bovine stock. On the contrary 42 percent young cattle were recorded in 2003 census. The discussion reveals that decline in young cattle stock may be due to insufficient health care service, lack of food supply, flood etc. Within the state there is also regional variation in the composition of young and adult cattle stock. At district level, adult cattle stock varies from 53 percent to 66 percent. Table 1: Agro-climatic Zone wise Composition of Young & Adult Cattle to Total Cattle (Both Indigenous & Cross Breed, 2003 & 2007) In Percentage www.ijirssc.in Page 43

International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research in Science Society and Culture(IJIRSSC) Vol: 1, Issue:2, (December Issue), 2015 ISSN: (P) 2395-4345, (O) 2455-2909

Source :Computed on the basis of Livestock Census Report for 2003 & 2007

NB: YC-Young Cattle, AC-Adult cattle, TC-Total Cattle YB-Young Buffalo, AB-Adult Buffalo, TB-Total Buffalo

In 2007, out of 26 districts 10 districts recorded higher composition of young cattle than the state average. N C Hills now known as Dima Hasao has the highest number of young cattle with 47 percent, followed by Nalbari (44%), Tinsukia (43%) respectively. The data for three www.ijirssc.in Page 44

International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research in Science Society and Culture(IJIRSSC) Vol: 1, Issue:2, (December Issue), 2015 ISSN: (P) 2395-4345, (O) 2455-2909

The table no.1 also reveals that in 2007 percentage share of young cattle have been decreasing not only in the state but also in some of the districts such as Kokrajhar, Goalpara, Morigaon, Darrang, Sonitpur, Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Golaghat Jorhat and Karbi Anglong .But Sibsagar and Dibrugarh districts of upper Brahmaputra valley have retained the young-adult composition for the two census period. Compositions of young and adult buffalo for Assam in 2003 were 37 percent and 63 percent respectively. In case of young buffaloes, at district level, Tinsukia (54%) occupies the first place followed by Nagaon(52%) and Karbi-Anglong (47%).There were 11 districts (Goalpara, Nalbari, Darrang, Nagaon, Lakhimpur, Sibsagar, Tinsukia, Sibsagar, Jorhat, Karbi- Anglong, Karimganj and Hailakandi ) that shows higher percentage of young buffalo than the national norm. On the other hand, Golaghat has the lowest percentage of young buffalo in the state (17%).Other states to follow suit are Dhubri (20%) and Bongaigaon (29%). Looking at the adult stock, it is found that there were18 districts with very high concentration of this ,buffalo stock (above 60%).Considering this age group (above 3 years) as working age group, it may be easy to assess the importance of buffalo in agricultural operations as well as in milk production.

The above observation shows that at least at the state level buffaloes indicate some kind of quality improvement with nearly 7 percent increase in young stock. The reduction in total number for the state also indicates at the same in the form of out of state improved breeds being introduced in some of the districts. On the other hand the reduction of 3 percent of young stock within cattle population indicates at stagnation in this sector in the face of minimal cross breeding activities with possible poor extension of veterinary services to the interior settlements. d. Sex Composition: Conventionally the sex composition of bovines is expressed in terms of number of males per hundred females. Cattle sex ratio and buffalo sex ratio has been calculated for two census period to know the utilization pattern in respect of draught power and milk yield. Table no.2 reveals that the cattle sex ratio of 90 numbers of males in the year of 2002 has actually increased to 92 by 2007, a clear reverse trend to the national trend. This needs to be explained in the context of ploughing requirement of the state in the absence of mechanisation. In fact unlike other states the bullocks are not being displaced in the state of Assam. As a matter of fact there has been increase in small cultivators who like to maintain their own pair of bullocks. It is also to be taken into account that it is the first choice and compulsion to maintain bullock as was the situation for the country in earlier decades.

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Fig.4

Fig.5 www.ijirssc.in Page 46

International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research in Science Society and Culture(IJIRSSC) Vol: 1, Issue:2, (December Issue), 2015 ISSN: (P) 2395-4345, (O) 2455-2909

At the sub regional level that is the districts shows the picture is of wide variations of sex ratio of cattle. This variation over space also extends over the time period of the two census years.

Table 2: Agro-climatic Zone wise Bovine Sex Ratio in Assam (number of males per hundred females) 2003 & 2007 Agro-Climatic Sl.No Zone Cattle Sex Ratio Buffalo Sex Ratio District 2003 2007 2003 2007 1 Dhubri 100 83 119 112 Lower 2 Kokrajhar 118 98 124 135 Brahmaputra 3 Bongaigaon 95 80 91 97 Valley 4 Goalpara 79 98 96 141 5 Kamrup Central 74 70 115 101 6 Morigaon Brahmaputra 129 87 162 92 7 Nagaon Valley 74 96 259 88 8 Darrang 103 73 82 70 9 Sonitpur 97 101 47 72 10 Lakhimpur 122 118 103 69 11 Dhemaji 95 124 122 93 12 Barpeta North Bank Zone 98 70 105 86 13 Nalbari 90 67 92 47 14 Baska - 100 - 109 15 Chirang - 83 - 76 16 Udalguri - 106 - 105 17 Golaghat Upper 45 102 59 124 18 Jorhat Brahmaputra 88 81 79 55 19 Sibsagar Valley 111 95 69 63 20 Dibrugarh 95 114 95 54 21 Tinsukia 69 100 43 71 22 K Anglong 59 107 14 94 Hill Zone 23 N. C. Hills 46 69 88 86 24 Karimganj 102 98 81 73 25 Hailakandi Barak Valley 93 106 94 85 26 Cachar 89 75 86 66 Assam 90 92 83 80

Source : Computed on the basis of Livestock Census Report for 2003 & 2007 www.ijirssc.in Page 47

International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research in Science Society and Culture(IJIRSSC) Vol: 1, Issue:2, (December Issue), 2015 ISSN: (P) 2395-4345, (O) 2455-2909

The district of Lakhimpur in the north bank agro-climatic zone maintained as many as122 male cattle for every 100female cattle, a clear indication of the regions requirement and compulsion of ploughing requirement.

The situation is more or less maintained through the next five years. The other districts of the similar nature of cattle sex ratio are: Kokrajhar, Morigaon, Sibsagar and to some extent Karimganj and Dhubri. Since these districts belong to different agro-climatic zone no other special conclusion can be arrived from this secondary data. It is also quite puzzling to find very low sex ratio in favour of male cattle going up significantly within five years in some of the districts. These are: Golaghat, Goalpara, Nagaon, Dhemaji, Golaghat, Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Karbi-Anglong, Dima Hasao and Hailakandi.

Table.no.2 also shows the buffalo sex ratio for the state of Assam and individual districts. In 2003 Assam had as many as 83 male buffaloes for 100 females. This has been reduced marginally to 80 keeping with the general trend of the national situation. It is clear from earlier discussion about buffaloes that the Assam breed is of poor quality in terms of dairy use and like the state of West Bengal, Odisha and other north eastern states are reared for draughting and incidentally for milk . However, the marginal reduction of 3 numbers in sex ratio hints at mostly stagnation in this sector barring some pockets introducing dairy buffaloes in the state.

The study so far reflects at wide variation of bovine population parameters at the level of the districts of Assam relating to multiple factors in rural sociology and agrarian economy. The buffalo sex ratio at regional level also reinforces this observation more categorically. As many as eight districts (Table.no.2) in 2003 registered more male buffaloes than female ones. This reflects the dominant use of draughting males in those areas. Over the next five years while some regions maintain their positions, some other districts change their buffalo sex ratio position dramatically.

While no definite conclusion can be drawn from this trend of change related to change in usage, an inter district trade in the stock is duly hinted at. In fact the neighbouring hill states are supposed to play a role in absorbing some of the less productive and useless animals during this period [9].

Table no.2 shows that the bovine sex ratio in Assam varied greatly from one agro- climatic zone to other. By calculating the sex composition for cattle and buffalo, it will be possible to know the draught power requirement in agriculture. Modernization in agriculture indicates that less number of animal power utilization in cultivation of crops.

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International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research in Science Society and Culture(IJIRSSC) Vol: 1, Issue:2, (December Issue), 2015 ISSN: (P) 2395-4345, (O) 2455-2909

© IJIRSSC The cattle sex ratio of Assam is in favour of females. In 2007 census 92 male cattle has been found for every 100 females in the state. But it is seen that male cattle has been increased from90 (2003) to 92(2007).

To understand the utilisation pattern at the district level sex ratio have been calculated for all the districts. In 2007 Dhemaji with a sex ratio of 124 males per 100 females occupies the first rank among the districts. It is followed by Lakhimpur (118) and Dibrugarh (114). There are altogether 15 districts which have higher sex ratio than the states norm (92).Nalbari has the lowest sex ratio (67) along with NC Hills (69) and Barpeta and Kamrup (70).

Kamrup district has recorded a sex ratio of 70 males per 100 females (2007). The cattle sex ratio has been decreased from 74 (2003) to 70(2007) in the district. Dairy cows are preferred in the district because of the increasing demand for milk. Because state capital Guwahati (Dispur), which is the only metropolitan city of the north-eastern region of India, is situated in Kamrup. A number of dairy farms are found in and around Guwahati city. These farms play the important role to meet the demand for milk in the city dwellers. Perhaps this is the reason for the lower sex ratio in Kamrup than the state norm so far as male cattle are concerned.

People rear male cattle mainly to serve the purpose of agriculture and breeding. The male cattle will be the indicator of level of modernization of agriculture. More male cattle per 100 female than reflected the use of draught power in agriculture. From the table it is also seen that male cattle are more in some districts of Upper Brahmaputra valley, North Bank Zone, Hill Zones and Central Brahmaputra valley agro climatic zones .This may be due to the requirement of draught power use in cultivation in these diverse agro climatic zones.

VI. Conclusion: Assam is basically an agricultural state. Out of the state’s total population 70 per cent people derives their livelihood from agriculture. The foregoing study indicates the modern methods of agriculture are not fully utilised in the agricultural practice. A number of draught animals like buffalo and bullocks are used in crop cultivation. Progress of agriculture in terms of use of modern equipment is very slow. This is very well reflected in the composition of the bovine stock which in not changing in the right direction as of the national standard pace.

References :

[1] Taher, M., & Ahmed, P. (2005). Assam: A Geographical Profile. Guwahati: Mani Manik Prakash.

[2] Bora, A. K. (2002). Physical Background. In A. K. Bhagawati, A. K. Bora, & B. K. Kar(Eds.), Geography of Assam (pp. 19-21). New Delhi: Rajesh Publications.

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International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research in Science Society and Culture(IJIRSSC) Vol: 1, Issue:2, (December Issue), 2015 ISSN: (P) 2395-4345, (O) 2455-2909

[3] Government of Assam. (2003). Report on 17th Livestock Census. Guwahati, Assam: Directorate of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary.

[4] Government of Assam. (2008). Statistical Hand Book . Assam, Guwahati: Directorate of Economics & Statistics.

[5] Government of Assam. (2007). Reporrt on 18th Livestock Census. Assam, Guwahati: Directorate of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary.

[6] ICAR (1972).Definitions of the Characteristics of Cattle and Buffalo Breeds in India, Bulletin, No.86, New Delhi

[7] Mahanta, K. C. (1987). Handbook of Animal Husbandry. Guwahati, Assam: OMSONS Publications.

[8] Kar, N. (2002). Animal Husbandry and Rural Development, Restructuring and Planned Development of the Bovine Economy. New Delhi: Deep and Deep Publications Pvt.Ltd.

[9] Government of Assam. (1982). Livestock Census. Assam, Guwahati: Directorate of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary.